Manchester City fans' proposed boycott of the Community Shield has been branded 'understandable' by the Football Supporters' Association.
The FA announced the traditional curtain raiser for the season, which usually pits the Premier League champions vs FA Cup winners, would be played on Sunday, August 6 at Wembley Stadium with a 5.30pm kick-off. As City won both the league and domestic cup, the Blues will face Premier League runners-up Arsenal to kickstart the campaign.
However, the decision to play the match at this time has led to anger from sections of the City fanbase who are concerned about transport and the knock-on impact for their work if the game is played so late on a Sunday. Supporters group 1894 stated they would boycott the fixture unless the kick-off time was rethought.
They wrote: "1894 urge you to join us in boycotting the Community Shield game against Arsenal on August 6. The 5.30 kick-off time presents significant travel challenges from Manchester, making it difficult for many loyal supporters to attend. It's time match-going fans were treated as a priority rather than an afterthought.
ALSO READ: Why City supporters' group is boycotting Community Shield
"By boycotting this fixture, we aim to send a strong message to the FA and ITV (broadcasters for the fixture) about the impact scheduling has on fans. Our collective absence from the stadium will demonstrate our discontent and advocate for fairer game times in the future. We understand the love and dedication you have for City, but we believe that our collective action will bring about positive change.
"We ask fans, who are in a position to do so, to make either a £10 donation, or the equivalent cost of a match ticket, to MCFC Foodbank or another local charity."
Now, the Football Supporters' Association has sympathised with City supporters who are wishing to boycott the fixture. They told the BBC: "What used to be an early to mid-afternoon game is now being held on a Sunday evening at the behest of the FA's broadcasters.
"Manchester City supporters are understandably upset, with some calling for boycotts, at this inconvenient scheduling of the Community Shield which will leave many facing difficult decisions about transport and time off. This decision to put the needs of broadcasters ahead of match-going fans will undoubtedly lead to empty seats and sour what should be an otherwise exciting curtain-raiser for the new season."
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